Page 25 of Truce Of The Matter

Seeing him fully dressed, rounding my corner, shuts me right up and causes Monae to turn around too. Quickly, her head swivels back to me. I just shake mine. Him in clothes is the last thing I want at this moment.

“Sorry. He’s fine fine,” she mouths then smiles wide as hell.

I roll my eyes playfully then walk around her and step to him. I place my hand on his chest as if to stop him. “You don’t have to leave yet,” I say, damn near begging.

His arm slips around my waist and he pulls me into his muscular frame. His hand runs down the side of my face and lands under my chin. He cups it then tilts my head up. As if Monae isn’t a few feet away, he kisses me, duplicating the passion and pinch of aggression he had in the room.

“You have…things to do,” he says. It’s clear he’s being careful with his word choice. “Your friend is here to see about you. Just know I’ll be thinking about you all day and I’ll check in on you.”

After leaning in and pecking my lips, he releases me reluctantly, holding my hand as we walk toward my door and Monae. She’s cheesing hard as hell as we approach. She actually introduces herself before I get a chance to.

“I’m her best friend, Monae. And you are?” she asks.

“Rex. Nice to meet you.”

“Sorry it wasn’t at a better time. My bad.”

“You good. Just take care of her,” he says.

“Always,” she says assuredly. He turns around, kisses me again, then releases my hand. He opens the door and leaves. After I close it, I lean back and sigh.

“I like him for you.”

“Me too,” I admit because I do.

He was here when I didn’t even know I needed him to be last night. From the moment they pronounced my mother dead, I went into my normal handle-business-and-take care-of-Daija-and-my dad-mode. My protective walls went up and I didn’t allow myself to accept the news and grieve. Neither were options. Getting Daija and my dad home, grabbing my mom’s stuff out of that room, contacting the funeral home, and telling my team at Redmond’s were my priorities.

However, once I told my staff, my walls shattered and my emotional levees broke. My sadness and loss hit me like a ton of bricks and I crumbled, broke all the way down, and he was there. He literally picked me up, brought me home, and allowed me to cry myself to sleep in his arms. And this morning… My god! My body and pussy have never been treated so masterfully.

“So, I’m guessing I interrupted som?—”

“You definitely did,” I cut her off then sigh again at the beautiful memory and promise of what would have been next.

“Oh shit! For real, I’m sorry. But in my defense, I called you four times. When you didn’t answer, I was really worried and needed to make sure that you were good.”

“I wasn’t but he was here. He stayed with me.”

“He’s definitely a keeper. I really worry about you,” she says with so much sincerity. “You try to be everything for every damn body and I don’t think you save any time for yourself. Looks like he will though, and take care of you like you deserve. Please let him.”

“I was trying to,” I say and she laughs.

“Don’t kill me with it. I’m so sorry, sis. Damn! Charge it to my head, not my heart. I came with all good intentions. I’m your driver and shoulder to lean on today. Breakfast, then we go…well, we meet with Kaamal.”

“You don’t have to go with me; I’ll be fine.”

“But if you aren’t, I’m here. Go take a shower and get dressed. I’m hungry.”

“Thanks, girl.”

“We don’t do that. No thanks; just love.” I walk over and give her a hug, thankful that she is here. I just might need her today. “And take a cold shower,” she adds while grinning. “That man is so fine.”

“Yes he is,” I utter before grabbing my tote from my chair and walking to my bedroom.

I need to check on Daija and my dad and make sure they are up for this morning. If they aren’t, I’ll go to Greyson Funeral Home and take care of everything. Although I never wanted to even imagine this day, I am somewhat prepared. My parents planned for everything, including their departures from me. Their final resting wishes are very clear and even detailed in writing.

Before placing my tote in my chair, I pull out my phone and call my dad. As always, it takes two calls before he answers. He never has his phone near him.

“Morning, sweetie,” he says solemnly.

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